Best time to go
Summer (especially January weekends) is popular and can feel busy, though the area is spacious. Winter is quiet and scenic with snow on surrounding peaks, chilly mornings, and late‑arriving sun—and the taps are off.
Overview
About Moke Lake Campsite
A classic DOC standard campsite on the shore of a small alpine lake, Moke Lake Campsite trades creature comforts for peace, space, and mountain-and-water views. It’s close to town yet feels miles away once the gravel starts.
Why stop
- Big alpine lake views just ~12 km from Queenstown
- Simple cooking shelter with sinks and seasonal water taps
Heads up
- Rough, corrugated gravel access road
- No mobile reception and no showers
Map
Where it is
Loading the Queenstown-Lakes District map
Full mapLocal know-how
Tips for visiting Moke Lake Campsite
Drive the last 7 km of gravel slowly and plan to arrive in daylight.
Pack insect repellent, warm layers, and a headlamp for nighttime toilet trips.
Treat all tap water; in winter bring your own as taps are turned off.
Book online in advance—summer dates fill and rangers check bookings.
Download offline maps and entertainment; there’s no mobile reception.
Plan your stop
Before you go
Best time to go
Facilities
1 active Queenstown-Lakes District alert
- ClosureSkippers Bridge closed to all trafficSkippers Bridge is closed to all vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians; do not cross.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Queenstown-Lakes District Tour Guide
Your drive to Moke Lake Campsite, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Queenstown-Lakes District, New Zealand. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Queenstown-Lakes District audio tourRecorded for this place
Moke Lake Campsite: A Remote DOC SpotListen
“The area ahead contains Moke Lake Campsite, a basic DOC spot that offers a proper 'away-from-it-all' feeling. Just be aware the final seven kilometres are on a bumpy, corrugated gravel road.”
Plays as you drive up to Moke Lake Campsite in the Parkwolf Queenstown-Lakes District Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Moke Lake: The Famous Viewpoint and Lakeside Loop
- Moke Lake After Dark
- Sunshine Bay: A Quiet Lakeside Escape
- The War on Wilding Pines
- 164 audio storiesacross Queenstown-Lakes District’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Kea, Kākā, Kererū, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 37 trails, 111 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
More about Moke Lake Campsite
Booking, Fees & PassesOnline bookings are required year‑round.
Online bookings are required year‑round. Typical fees: Adults NZ$18/night, Children NZ$9, Infants free. DOC Campsite Pass is accepted (bookings still required for pass holders).
What to DoEasy loop walk around Moke Lake with lovely sunrise/sunset mirror reflections on calm days.
- Easy loop walk around Moke Lake with lovely sunrise/sunset mirror reflections on calm days.
- Lake fun: swimming, kayaking/canoeing, and trout fishing.
- Tracks connect to Lake Dispute (about 2 hours on foot or mountain bike). Horse trekking occurs in the area.
- Expect friendly ducks nosing around the shore.
Getting ThereTurn off Glenorchy Road and follow roughly 7 km of narrow, corrugated gravel to the lake.
Turn off Glenorchy Road and follow roughly 7 km of narrow, corrugated gravel to the lake. It’s manageable in 2WD in dry conditions but can be bumpy, dusty, and tight with limited pull‑offs. In winter the road can be tricky; drive in daylight if you can.
Best Time to VisitFor photos: sunrise and calm evenings bring those glassy reflections.
- For photos: sunrise and calm evenings bring those glassy reflections.
- For fewer people: mid‑week or outside January.
- For swimming and paddling: late spring through early autumn when water is on and days are warm.
TipsBook ahead, then arrive before dusk—the final gravel stretch isn’t fun in the dark.
- Book ahead, then arrive before dusk—the final gravel stretch isn’t fun in the dark.
- Bring bug spray (sandflies), warm layers for cold mornings, and a headlamp for toilet runs.
- Treat all water; in winter, plan to bring your own as taps are off.
- There’s no cell signal—download maps and entertainment offline.
- Carry a card and some cash as a backup for ranger fee checks.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Queenstown-Lakes District
189 sightingsKeaMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
18 sightingsKākāMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
195 sightingsKererūMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
48 sightingsWekaMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
239 sightingsTūīMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
97 sightingsBellbirdMost seen around 6 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Queenstown-Lakes District. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
